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Sunday, October 29, 2006

RequestAlun Davies "Daydo" (UK Folk-Rock 1972)

Alun Davies is one of the most highly respected session guitarists in the United Kingdom. A founding member, along with childhood friend Jon Marks and Nicky Hopkins, of pop-jazz group, Sweet Tuesday, in the late-1960s, Davies made his greatest mark as accompanist for British singer-songwriter Cat Stevens from 1970 until Stevens's conversion to Islam and retirement from music in 1977. Davies subsequently collaborated with ex-Small Faces vocalist, Ronnie Lane, co-writing the opening track, "One Step", and a second tune, "She's Leaving", on Lane's 1979 album, See Me.

Davies launched his musical career with a duo that he shared with Marks (then known as: Michael Burchell) in 1963. The duo's sole album, Relax Your Mind, was produced by American producer Shel Talmy, best known for his work with the Who, the Kinks, Manfred Mann, Chad and Jeremy and Ralph McTell. After busking in Paris and the south of France, in 1964, the two musicians returned to England and signed with an agent, who secured them a gig on a Cunard Line ship.

After sixteen voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, Davies and Mark went their separate ways. Davies, who had gone on to work as a session musician for Fontana Records and tour with Marianne Faithful, Spencer Davis and Jeremy Taylor, reunited with Mark to form Sweet Tuesday in 1968. Although they recorded one memorable album, the group disbanded after Fontana declared bankruptcy and went out of business.

Returning to session work, Davies was recruited to perform on Cat Stevens's album, Mona Bone Jakon, in 1970. The session proved so successful that Stevens invited Davies to join him on tour following the recording of his groundbreaking album, Tea For The Tillerman.

Davies's involvement with Stevens was reciprocated when he recorded his debut solo album, Waste Of Time in 1972. The album, which showcased seven tunes written or co-written by Davies, featured Stevens on piano and was co-produced by Stevens and Paul Samwell Smith. Davies's second solo effort, Daydo followed two years later. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide

Your blog is just great. Thanks a lot for your work. I always find interesting music I don't know and music I can't barely remember like Alun Davies. I have two requests which are impossible to find, at least in central europe. The first one is:William LyallSolo CastingEMI 1976The second one is:Richard LandisNatural CausesDunhill 1972If my memory serves me well William Lyall is just great melancholy pop with wonderful melodies and a lot of strings while Richard Landis plays with a couple of jazz musicians without making a jazzy record. Thank you again for everything.

Many thanks for the Alun Davies album, Lizardson. Nice to have it as a mp3, too. Incidentally, as regards the All Music review, I don’t think there was an album called “Waste of Time”. Perhaps that’s a mix-up with “Daydo”, his solo debut, released in ’72, as indicated by the Rolling Stone review. For further reference, please see e.g. http://www.majicat.com/alun.htm

I agree with aufpet, I don't think "Waste of Time" ever existed. I remember very well when the Daydo LP was released in 72, I bought it because of the Cat Stevens relation. Listening to it again now (thanks Lizardson!) I also remember how good it is.Unfortunately the sound isn't too good, so it should get a proper cd/remaster treatment. Does anybody know what happened to Davies apart from the occational studio sessions in the 70s?